Category Archives: Word of the Week

Word of the Week: ASSENGERS

Posted on November 9, 2011 by TJ

ASSENGERS \ASS-en-jerz\ noun: Infrequent train riders with no knowledge of,  or no respect for, the customs, manners and mores of the seasoned daily commuter; identifiable by their loud conversations, occupation of multiple seats, and sudden inability to find their ticket … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: HEINEKENVIOUS

Posted on November 1, 2011 by TJ

HEINEKENVIOUS \HINE-i-KEN-vee-uhs\ adjective: Pangs of jealousy one feels when opting not to buy a beer for the train ride, then sitting across from a person who appears to be enjoying their adult beverage immensely. Usage: I decided not to buy … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: RECONGESTION

Posted on July 5, 2011 by TJ

RECONGESTION \ree kun JEST chun\ noun: The odd phenomenon of finally getting a break from some awful traffic, resuming cruising speed while enjoying being free and clear–then experiencing more soul-crushing traffic a minute or two later. Usage: I finally caught a break … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: PAYING DUMB

Posted on March 15, 2011 by TJ

PAYING DUMB /PAY inng DUMM/ verb: Trying to pass off an off-peak ticket on an on-peak train in hopes that the conductor won’t notice and won’t hit you with the extra charge. [Also known as "Vig-norant"] Usage: I tried paying dumb with … Continue reading →

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TRAINJOTTING TURNS 4: Word of the Week — Kneegotiations

Posted on January 12, 2011 by TJ

Originally appeared Jan. 2009 KNEEGOTIATIONS \NEE goh she AYY shunz\ noun: The awkward intertwining of two passengers’ legs as they share facing seats on Metro-North trains. Usage: A man took the seat facing me on the 8:16 to the city … Continue reading →

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TRAINJOTTING TURNS 4: Word of the Week — Passive-Egressive Behavior

Posted on January 11, 2011 by TJ

Originally ran July 2008 PASSIVE-EGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR /PASS ihv ee GRESS ihv bee HAYV yer/ noun: The shuffling of newspapers, rummaging through of bags and fidgeting in seats by riders in the window seat as their stop approaches, to subtly indicate to the … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: RAMPIRES

Posted on October 1, 2010 by TJ

RAMPIRES /ram PYRZ/ noun: Slow-moving people on the ramp heading down to the platform to board the train across from yours, who have several more minutes before their train departs, and conspire to hold you up just long enough to … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: POPCORNUCOPIA

Posted on June 8, 2010 by TJ

POPCORNUCOPIA /POP korna COPE eeah/ noun: The paper Italian-loaf sleeve, filled to the brim with savory train station popcorn, offering an endless snack supply for the ride home. Extra style points for the guy that can hold the Popcornucopia under one … Continue reading →

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Word of the Week: CANON FODDER

Posted on March 1, 2010 by admin

CANON FODDER /KAN in FAH dur/ noun: Ambulatory commuters who end up in tourists’ photos as they snap pictures of Grand Central Terminal with their digital cameras. Usage: I was late for my 9 a.m. meeting, and ended up being … Continue reading →

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TRAINJOTTING CLASSIC: Word of the Week: Phantom of the Stopera

Posted on January 12, 2010 by TJ

Trainjotting turns three tomorrow. We’re feeling a bit nostalgic. from December 21, 2007 PHANTOM OF THE STOPERA /FANN tum uv the STOPP ruh/ noun: The people you see at your train stop each day that suddenly disappear, but pop into … Continue reading →

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